Sunday, September 30, 2007

TKGA In Oakland (So I shopped more than I knit)

OK. I confess. I didn't knit as much as I shopped this weekend but it was a kind of social thing for me as my sister, my sister-in-law and my friend Louise all went to this event. The Knitting and Crochet show is much smaller that Stitches but who am I to turn up my nose at yarn? Besides, there is usually something at a show that I would not easily find in a local yarn store. I did not get a lot of things but those that I did get are very nice. See above crochet hooks in rosewood handles from Asciano FiberArts Tools from Sausalito CA. (phone 415-331-9227) or(http://www.ascianofiberartstools.com/). Yes, my sister got them for me only so I can do the crochet cast off for dollies but the handles are large, comfortable and much easier for me to handle without my hands cramping up or risking carpel tunnel syndrome. They are also much prettier than the ones with plastic handles that I have been using. I got sizes 0.75 mm and 1.25 mm. Since it's tough to buy birthday presents for someone like me, my sister usually just gets me what I want at a show like this and does not make me wait until my actual birthday to use them :-) In addition to the hooks, my sister also got me 2 skeins of Habu Silk (NS-18J, 21 d/102 orgazine degummed (indigo dyed) color 5. They have this dyed by a gentleman in Japan (Mr. Mori) who does this in the traditional way and is teaching his son to do it as well. Each skein has 1,400 yds on it but trying to wind it into a ball sucks big-time as it's slick like rayon and wants to knot up or tangle. Still, beautiful stuff and I have no idea what the heck I will do with it. Last, but not least I got myself 2 skeins of 60/2 silk from RedFish DyeWorks. It is 1,400 yds/skein and the silk does not take the dye evenly so it's more like a "mostly solid" type of a silk. Think the way denim might dye unevenly. I actually like that aspect. solids are OK but a little visual interest that is not a extreme tone/color shift is nice when making lace. It wasn't very crowded at the show but there was enough to look at that no one left empty handed. I enjoyed speaking to some of the members of the Lacy Knitters Guild and picking up information about The Lace Museum in Sunnyvale. All great resources if you are interested in lace. That's it for now. I have to go knit now so I won't feel I got all these new things for no reason :-) Have a great weekend!

14 comments:

When you say the traditional way of Indigo dying, do you mean Mr. Mori ferments the dye vat with his and his son's urine? I would not want to be around his dye pot if that is the case! Beautiful yarn and lovely crochet hooks!

Yes, we prefer to shop for each others gifts this way since at this stage of life, we pretty much buy what we want and getting us gifts is really tough for lots of people. The hooks are very cute and she can make them in whatever size crochet hook you need as well. The Habu silk is similar to silk I've used for embroidery. Much more body than the silk from RedFish DyeWorks.

I would not be surprised if that is how he does it. LOL. Really lovely yarn in any case. I could not resist it. I really like the substantial handles on the crochet hooks and they are much more comfortable to use than others I have.

That Habu is gorgeous! De-lurking to make a suggestion that I found useful when dealing with some similar silk - instead of winding into a ball, you can wind around the cardboard inner tube of some loo paper/kitchen roll - works a treat! Your lace is beautiful, by the way, I come here just to look at what you do and say 'I'd never have the patience...' ;P

Ah! What a wonderful sister! Not making you wait and knowing exactly what and how and where to get a gift for you! I was told to wind and knit such silk yarn, it was ok to wind on the yarn winder but to knit from the outer side of the ball. Als, I have read a "yarn bra" to hold the slippery yarn is good. Very lovely choices - always love seieng your purchases and the links!! Terry

Thank you for de-lurking! The method you suggested is my favorite way to wind a ball actually. Nice to see that someone else also likes that method! The problem with the Habu is that it wants to un-wind after it's already in a ball:-( I've put a clean nylon ankle sock over it to keep the ball from unwinding further. Not pretty to look at but it's working :-) Don't give up on the idea of lace for yourself. I tried knitting lace years ago and gave it up because I demanded too much of myself at the time. Now I cut myself slack and I have much more fun and the lace is pretty to look at too! I'm glad you enjoy the blog. Maybe it will tempt you to give the lace a try :-)

I had been resisting the Habu for some time myself just as my sister had been resisting buying more spindles and fiber. We ended up spending the same amount on each other at the show because she got me the Habu and I got her a new spindle and fiber LOL. Sometimes we are willing to treat others better than ourselves. Maybe you could treat yourself for Christmas? Hmmmm.

I am now doing the crochet cast-off for Lyra with one of those new crochet hooks. It almost makes crochet bearable! I love it when you go shopping too, even though you like that "fuzzy stuff". I also love that you invent new methods and techniques. You just have one of those brains girl! Fun to watch you go!

We really have fun buying stuff for each other at shows. Your mom means well. Maybe you could have a "wish list" on Amazon for books you would actually like to get that your mom could get you or even a subscription to Spin-Off or Knitters since Amazon has those too? That would be fun for an entire year!

Thanks for the heads-up. Your message made me run to the chest of drawers for the nylon ankle sock that now covers the ball of yarn. I will indeed knit from the outside of the ball which is what I have to do with the yarn I'm using on the WRS. I would have to pick something tricky to control. I like my selections as well.I have a hard time finding things at local yarn stores sometimes so these shows are nice for special items and I'm glad you like seeing what I was able to find.